Have you been making the most of the sunny weather to exercise outdoors?
Getting out in the fresh air can offer an array of health benefits, from reducing stress to increasing self-esteem. It can even improve your activity – one study even found that outdoor runners expended more energy than treadmill runners due to the wind resistance, undulating terrain and steps found in parks.
Whether you opt for a solo run or team sports, grass stains on white sports kit are an inevitable part of life – especially for kids – but they can be removed with the right technique and a little elbow grease!
How to remove grass stains from sports clothes
1. Check the label
For washable fabrics such as football shirts, shorts, socks and cricket whites, first check the care label to make sure items are machine washable.
2. Pre-treat the stain
The pigment in chlorophyll makes grass stains hard to remove. Soak the garment in cold water – not hot! – then spot-treat the stained area with biological detergent to act as a concentrated stain remover. Rub it into the fabric with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush and leave to soak for 15 minutes before washing in the machine.
3. Tackle stubborn stains
If the grass stain has been there for a while or doesn’t budge after the first wash, you may need something more powerful. First, mix one-part white vinegar with one-part water and dab onto the stain. Test this on a small area of clothing first, such as an inside hem, to check it doesn’t cause any damage. Leave for 5 minutes. Finally, mix a solution of warm water and fabric oxygen bleach (they often have ‘Oxy’ or similar in the name), soak for up to 6 hours following pack instructions and then wash as usual.
How to remove grass stains from trainers
Mix one-part white vinegar with two-parts water in the sink or a large bowl. For grass-stained soles, dip a small stiff-bristled brush into the solution – a toothbrush works well! – and scrub the stained area, rinsing the brush regularly in the solution.
If the stain doesn’t lift, try applying a small amount of laundry detergent directly to your shoes with a soft cloth – test it on the underside of the sole first! Rinse in cold water and leave to air dry.
If the stain is on the canvas upper part of the shoe, mix a small amount of washing up liquid with warm water and dab onto your shoes with a soft cloth, then rinse with clean water.
